They don't/didn't owe him, but I can understand why Frank might be ticked about it. Aside from being an excellent long-time player for the team, he coached and took crappy minor-league positions. He was obviously willing to pay some dues. Then to get passed over in favor of Buddy Bell and Trey freaking Hillman? Its not like they hired Tony LaRussa or Jim Leyland instead.

I thought he was respected and well-liked by the players. I mean, he SEEMED qualified. In way, I was glad he wasn't hired because I always liked him and any manager of the Royals at that time (or now) is doomed to failure and he'd be fired in a couple years anyway. But, it did kind of seem like a natural fit--unless there's a bunch of stuff that we just don't know. That article sure didn't shed any light on it.

Lots of guys coach in the minors without ever getting to manage in the big leagues. It's not like he was promised to get the job when he decided to coach down there. He got a ton of opportunities handed to him because of his playing career, and it wasn't enough. He wanted everything, or he wasn't going to be happy.